An urgent warning has been issued to UK gardeners (Image: Getty)
An urgent warning has been issued to across the UK as scientists reveal an alarming rise in invasive species sneaking into the country via potted plants and cut .
According to researchers from the , snakes, geckos, and Italian wall lizards are among the secret stowaways arriving in shipments of ornamental plants like olive trees.
These unexpected visitors seriously threaten food crops, native species, and the .
The study also warns that reptiles are “just the tip of the iceberg.”
Insects, fungi, spiders, and agricultural pests are also hitching rides into the UK and northern Europe.
Researches warn that snakes, geckos, and Italian wall lizards could be sneaking into the country (Image: Getty)
Despite strict regulations and border checks, the rapid pace and scale of global plant shipments make it difficult to detect these uninvited guests.
Professor William Sutherland from Cambridge’s Department of Zoology said: “Ornamental olive trees imported for sale in the UK can be over 100 years old, with many hiding places among their gnarly bark and the soil they’re transported in.
“This is incredibly risky in terms of importing pests.”
In addition to reptiles, European tree frogs and harmful insects have been found in shipments destined for gardens, exacerbating concerns about biosecurity.
Researchers warn that climate change is amplifying the risks. Rising temperatures are creating conditions where previously non-survivable species, such as disease-carrying mosquitoes, could establish themselves in northern Europe.
Warmer climates may also allow imported ornamental plants to escape gardens and thrive as invasive species in the wild.
The invasive species aren’t the only issue tied to the booming global trade in plants.
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Additionally, other significant concerns could also be looming, including microplastics and agrochemicals entering soils, health risks from pesticide residues and massive water usage in plant-producing countries.
Dr. Silviu Petrovan, another senior author of the study, said: “”If snakes and lizards are getting through, what’s the chance of us spotting small insects and fungi – the things that really cause the problems?”
The researchers are urging policymakers to introduce stricter standards for plant imports. Certifications and better regulation, they argue, could help mitigate risks while supporting rural economies worldwide.
Dr. Petrovan emphasised the importance of collaboration across the industry.
The expert continued: “We need to push to make the industry more sustainable and work with those involved in the trade to better understand the risks and how to address them.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said: “This Government will never waver in its duty to support the UK’s biosecurity, protect our farmers, and secure our food supply.
“The Border Target Operating Model continues to protect crops, livestock, and the food chain from pests and diseases while minimising disruption to trade.”